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British Library to put more priceless images online

Kable

Published: 12 May 2005 16:30 BST

The British Library is looking for IT suppliers to help improve its online images service.

The service contains thousands of images of rare books, manuscripts, maps and paintings considered to have artistic value. So far there are around 14,000 images available through the service but the library wants to increase this figure to over 100,000.

Images available through the service include the Magna Carta, Shakespeare's mortgage deed and extracts of Leonardo da Vinci's notes.

In a tender notice published (in .doc format) on 11 May, 2005, the library said it is aiming to "improve the commercial viability of the service by increasing revenue and reducing costs."

New services to be offered include an enhanced search capability, "e-commerce solutions" for individuals and organisations paying for images, a revamped Web site and content hosting solutions.

The library also wants to link its sound archives to the Images Online service. Prospective suppliers are to respond to the tender notice by 3 June, 2005.